Theatre BC |
Summerland Singers & Players |
Welcome to
Theatre BC's MAINSTAGE 2003
provincial community theatre festival
in Penticton and Summerland
July 4-12, 2003
Hosted by Summerland Singers and
Players |
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SPECIAL
COURSES
All Special Courses to be held at Okanagan University-College, Summerland
NOTE: Directing with Fran Gebhard; Mon.July 7 - SOLD OUT see repeat added Wed.July 9
& Actor in Rehearsal with Garry Davey; Thur.July 10 - see repeat added Fri. July
11 |
Acting-Get Loose... / Acting-Rehearsal
/ Children's Theatre / Comedy/Improv / Costuming /
Make-up / Plumb the Depths (Directing) / Publicity / Set Design / Shakespeare /
Stage Playwriting / Start Your Own... |
| MONDAY / TUESDAY
/ WEDNESDAY / THURSDAY
/ FRIDAY
Please Support our Sponsors
and Supporters...
 
 
 
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| Monday
July 7th Stage Playwriting, Part 1
Mon. 9:30am-12:30pm (Part 2- Wed. 9:30am-12:30pm)
Janet Hinton
Janet has been a freelance playwright and dramaturge since 1983. After
earning her Bachelor of Arts in Drama at Queen's University, Kingston, ON, she spent some
time in West Africa as English Teacher and Dramatical Mistress for a secondary school.
Returning to Canada, Janet then went on to earn her Masters of Fine Arts in Drama
(Playwriting) at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Since then she has been an active
contributor to the theatre community there, writing numerous plays and receiving two
awards for her work entered in the Alberta Culture Playwriting Contest. She taught drama
at the University of Alberta for 10 years. Her play Delicate State Disturbed was nominated
for Best Premiere Play for the Alberta Writers' Guild Awards in 1992. Her play People
Don't Climb on Roofs in Oakville was nominated for a Sterling Award in 1993. She has
served as Dramaturge for Workshop West Theatre, TheatreBlitz North and Kam Theatre Play
Workshops. Janet is in the process of moving from Edmonton to Kelowna, where her husband,
David Mann, has been named the new Artistic Director for Sunshine Theatre. We welcome
Janet to the Okanagan and MAINSTAGE 2003. For Theatre BC, Janet previously served as a
Juror for the 12th Annual Canadian National Playwriting Competition (2000). |
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Plumb The Depths To Reach The Heights:
How a director mines the text.
Part 1 Mon. 9:30am-12:30pm
(Part 2- 1:30pm-4:30pm) Fran Gebhard
SOLD OUT - Second session
added - Wed. Jul.9 (am & pm)
A play's dynamics are buried deep in the text. A director may read the
script thirty times before the first day of rehearsal but how does he glean the play's
music, it's sound and shape? It cannot be detected simply by reading and rereading. The
riches of the text can only be discovered when you know how to read the text. Using Cat On
A Hot Tin Roof as a basis for textual analysis Fran will help directors discover methods
to examine the play in depth. A workshop designed to take the mystery out of a director's
approach to the play script. Bio - see
Workshop Plays Instructor |
Plumb The Depths To Reach The Heights: How a director mines the text.
Part 2- 1:30pm-4:30pm Fran
Gebhard See above for course description
SOLD OUT - Second session added -
Wed. Jul.9 (am & pm)
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Costuming: The Stretch Is Not Only In The
Fabric!
Mon. 1:30pm-4:30pm Joy
Green
Maximize the stretch in the costume dollar with a
potpourri of resources, tips, techniques, and short cuts to keep costs down but quality
and impact up. Learn to think 'outside the box' and see the resources and possibilities
that surround you - wherever you are and whatever the production.Discussion will include
creative problem solving, simple details that give big results and getting the most
mileage out of the budget without sacrificing effect or quality.
Joy Green is an 'early' grad of Sheridan College in fashion design but
curiosity quickly led other directions. Never able to resist a challenge (theatre budgets
qualify!), projects have ranged from specialty items for cancer patients to life-sized
puppets to projects for Canadian Living magazine. She has been costuming for community
theatre for 13 years, most recently in Kelowna. Though sewing and creative skills are
helpful, she believes the most important thing to bring to the theatre is a sense of
humour and an ability to stay calm amid chaos! |
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| TUESDAY,
July 8 Children's Theatre: It's Child's Play
Tue. 9:30am-12:30pm Lori Grant
This workshop will take you step by step through selection of material,
auditions, and production of performances for Children's Theatre. The information will be
very useful for people interested in developing a children's theatre group. You will be
able to take home ideas for musical direction, choreography and staging.
Lori Grant, B.S., B.M.Ed- Lori currently instructs drama and music at
Princess Margaret Secondary in Penticton. She is also an Artistic Director for the
Penticton Singers and Players, which produces well known musicals using talent within the
community. Her summertime is filled with directing musical theatre at the Okanagan School
of Arts, and over the last 10 years, Lori has seen hundreds of children and teens create
musical magic. She is also vocalist for jazz group, Apparently So. Originally from
Tennessee, and a member of the Chattanooga Little Theatre, Lori currently enjoys acting as
well as directing in the Penticton area.
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Acting: Get Loose and Connected
Tue. 9:30am-12:30pm Robin Kelley
This workshop will focus on loosening up and connection in preparation
for rehearsal or performance. We will be working as an ensemble using theatre games and
specific physical vocal exercises. For actors and directors, this work promotes
spontaneity, relaxation, and connection within the group. Wear comfortable clothing. Good
class for directors and stage managers to lead warm-ups during your productions.
A graduate of Studio 58, Robin has worked professionally in theatre,
film/TV, and voice-overs for 14 years. Favourite theatre roles include Renee, in Under the
Skin, Iris, in Down the Road, Rose in Dancing at Lughnasa and Maria in Twelfth Night, and,
of course, Kate, in Sylvia for TheatreOne in Nanaimo. TV and film credits include The
X-Files, Cold Squad, The Net, Dead Man's Gun, the MOW remake of Harvey, as well as Double
Jeopardy with Ashley Judd. Robin has taught acting since 1991, primarily at The William
Davis Centre for Actors' Study in Vancouver. She continues to hone her own skills as an
actor and teacher by studying with master teachers from Europe, the US, and Canada. In the
classroom, Robin is known for her ability to give direct, specific feedback, while
maintaining a sense of comfort, encouragement and fun.
For Theatre BC, Robin taught a three block acting workshop series at
MAINSTAGE 2002 in Nanaimo and recently travelled to Fort St. John to lead a Regional
Workshop for the Peace River Zone |
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Set Design: Building on a Tight
Budget
Tue. 1:30pm - 4:30pm Harold Courchene
You may have a hundred thousand dollar budget or a zero budget -- most likely the latter -
but in either case you can make it work. Bring your ideas to share, as well. Time will be
allotted for open discussion, questions and answers.
Harold Courchene -- Stage Management: The Stage Manager in the Overall Production (Thur,
July 10 - am)What are the characteristics of a good S.M. This workshop will examine the
duties in three phases: Pre-production (including Rehearsals), Production and Post
production. Topics will also include the "Prompt Book" - making up a proper
book, writing in your cues, and running a show.
Harold has spent 40+ years in theatre as Stage Manager, Technical
Director, Production Manager, Director and Actor. He has worked at Prudhommes Garden
Centre Theatre in Vineland, Ont, the Manitoba Theatre Centre, the Royal Alexander in
Toronto, The Neptune Theatre in Halifax and the Hartford Theatre Company in Hartford,
Conn.
He served 7 years as Studio Supervisor at the Conn Public Television
before returning to Canada in 1979. Harold took on the position of Cultural Consultant for
the Alberta Government. In 1990 he was Artistic Director for Rosebud Dinner Theatre. After
arriving in the Okanagan, he co-founded the Bare Bones Theatre Company and now has a new
venture under way, a new theatre Project called Second Stage Production, hoping to create
an apprentice/mentor training system for theatre.
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Comedy / Improv
Tue. 1:30pm- 4:30pm ( Repeat Wed, July 9 - pm)
Bill Pozzobon is a graduate of
Simon Fraser University's School for Contemporary Arts, where, in addition to being a
student, he has been a director, actor and sessional instructor. Bill is an actor, writer,
teacher, alternative to violence facilitator with Safeteen, and an electrician (sort of,
so small jobs please). He has also taught acting and improvisation at the Shadbolt Centre
for the Arts, and is one of the instructors you might find at a drop-in or weekend
workshop at Vancouver TheatreSports, where he has been a regular mainstage performer for
the past five years.
What is funny? How come some words or actions make us practically
incontinent, while other jokes and actions fall flatter than yesterday's flapjacks? This
workshop will attempt to create, explain or simply just illustrate the why and how of
comic acting, timing and physicality. We will explore the mysteries of comic improv. We
will explore language, both verbal and body text, situation and the role of the straight
person. We will create scenarios that are serious in nature and work them to bring out the
inherent comedy. So bring your funny bones and be prepared to laugh. |
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| WEDNESDAY, July 9 Stage Playwriting, Part 2
Wed. 9:30am-12:30pm (Part 1- Mon. 9:30am-12:30pm) Janet Hinton
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Shakespeare Performance Techniques / Textual
Analysis
Part 1 Wed. 9:30am-12:30pm (Part
2- 1:30pm-4:30pm) Stephen Drover
How do we read Shakespeare? Sounds like a simple enough question but
actors can often overlook it and just 'learn their lines'. Shakespeare makes choices in
his writing and his verse 'works' a particular way. If approached with patience and a
detective's eye, we can find that Shakespeare tells us how to play the text.
Exploring sonnets and speeches, this workshop will focus on
Shakespeare's dramatic structure and examine his writing techniques to unveil the
'performance clues' he put there for us, the actors, to find and use.
Stephen trained as an actor at Memorial University's Theatre Program,
receiving a BFA in Acting. As Associate Director of Theatre Newfoundland Labrador, his
directing projects included Romeo and Juliet and Of the Fields, Lately. He also spent
three summers as Resident Director at TNL's Gros Morne Theatre Festival. He holds a
Master's of Fine Arts in Directing from the University of British Columbia and most
recently was a guest artist at Memorial University's Theatre Program where he taught
Shakespeare Textual Analysis and directed The Taming of the Shrew. Other favorite
directing credits include A Midsummer Night's Dream for Acting Up Entertainment, Woody for
No Strings Theatre, and The Bond (from The Merchant of Venice) with UBC. He is a recipient
of the Sydney J. Risk Award in Theatre Directing and Memorial University's President's
Medal for Theatre. Stephen recently served as a Round Table dramaturge at Theatre BC's New
Play Festival in Kamloops. |
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Plumb The Depths To Reach The Heights:
How a director mines the text.
Part 1 Wed.
9:30am-12:30pm (Part 2-
1:30pm-4:30pm) Fran Gebhard (Repeat of Monday's course)
A play's dynamics are buried deep in the text. A director may read the
script thirty times before the first day of rehearsal but how does he glean the play's
music, it's sound and shape? It cannot be detected simply by reading and rereading. The
riches of the text can only be discovered when you know how to read the text. Using Cat On
A Hot Tin Roof as a basis for textual analysis Fran will help directors discover methods
to examine the play in depth. A workshop designed to take the mystery out of a director's
approach to the play script. Bio - see
Workshop Plays Instructor |
Plumb The Depths To Reach The Heights: How a director mines the text. (Repeat) Part
2- 1:30pm-4:30pm Fran Gebhard
See above for course description
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Shakespeare Performance Techniques / Textual Analysis
Part 2- 1:30pm-4:30pm Stephen
Drover See above for course description |
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Comedy / Improv (repeat of Tue.)
Wed. 1:30 pm- 4:30 pm Bill Pozzobon
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| THURSDAY,
July 10 Stage Management: The
Stage Manager in the Overall Production
Thurs. 9:30 am- 12:30 pm Harold Courchene
What are the characteristics of a good S.M. This workshop will examine
the duties in three phases: Pre-production (including Rehearsals), Production and Post
production. Topics will also include the "Prompt Book" - making up a proper
book, writing in your cues, and running a show.
Harold has spent 40+ years in theatre as Stage Manager, Technical
Director, Production Manager, Director and Actor. He has worked at Prudhommes Garden
Centre Theatre in Vineland, Ont, the Manitoba Theatre Centre, the Royal Alexander in
Toronto, The Neptune Theatre in Halifax and the Hartford Theatre Company in Hartford,
Conn.
He served 7 years as Studio Supervisor at the Conn Public Television
before returning to Canada in 1979. Harold took on the position of Cultural Consultant for
the Alberta Government. In 1990 he was Artistic Director for Rosebud Dinner Theatre. After
arriving in the Okanagan, he co-founded the Bare Bones Theatre Company and now has a new
venture under way, a new theatre Project called Second Stage Production, hoping to create
an apprentice/mentor training system for theatre.
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Acting: The Actor in Rehearsal: Bringing more
to the process
Part 1 Thurs. 9:30 am- 12:30pm
(Part 2- 1:30pm- 4:30pm) Garry Davey
Second session added - Fri. Jul.11 (am
& pm)
Everyone has something to offer. An actor wonders why her body is
telling her one thing when the director is telling her another. A director wonders how to
get things moving, or feeling more organic. Sometimes we want to use the space more but
how? What's my motivation? What's my character supposed to feel? Does this chair really
have to be here? How to find the answers to these and other challenges that plague us and
intrigue us during the rehearsal process. Using short scenes and exercises Garry will help
us discover that we have more to offer than we thought, and ways to go about making
offers, and making choices in rehearsal. The goal is to make the whole journey more
rewarding for everyone and ultimately serve the play, the players, and playgoers alike.
We will be working mainly from the actor's point of view, but directors
and designers are encouraged to audit, or take part. Wear comfortable clothes, bring your
notebooks. Bio - see Workshop Plays Instructor
|
Acting: The Actor in Rehearsal: Bringing
more to the process
Part 2 1:30 pm- 4:30pm Garry
Davey See above for course description
Second session added - Fri. Jul.11
(am & pm) |
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| FRIDAY,
July 11 Starting Your Own Theatre Group
Fri. 9:30am - 12:30pm Tom Cowles
Thinking of starting your own theatre group? Here is a session that
will give you everything you need to know to get you on your way.
Tom Cowles is the co-founder of bare bones theatre in Penticton. |
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Basic Make up for the Theatre
Part 1 Fri. 9:30am - 12:30pm
(Part 2- 1:30pm- 4:30pm) Debra Regnier
This seminar and workshop is designed to introduce stage actors to the
principals of make up for the stage. They will learn the various products and techniques
they need to use to enhance and/or change their features to create their character. The
seminar covers straight, character and aging techniques. Each actor will need to bring
their personal make up kit as well as wash up necessities. A workbook and extra supplies
will be provided by the instructor.
Debra Regnier's career as a professional make-up artist began over
eighteen years ago. She earned her credentials at a well-known school in Los Angeles after
apprenticing for two years with an established make-up artist. Since then she has honed
her skills working in mediums from the grand stage opera and dinner theatre to television
and feature films.For the past ten years, Debra has worked extensively in the film
industry, with major talent and respected industry professionals, such as Kelly McGillis,
Patricia Wettig, Charlton Heston and Malcolm McDowell. Her professional expertise has
earned her much deserved recognition, including a Gemini award nomination. Debra has
gained a strong reputation as someone who is not just extremely talented at what she does
but also sensitive to her clients' needs and passionately committed to her craft. Her
philosophy about make-up is simple "it is a tool to be used to enhance the natural
beauty that is in everyone". She has been sharing her knowledge with others for many
years as a skilled teacher and dynamic public speaker.
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Acting: The Actor in Rehearsal: Bringing
more to the process (Repeat of Thursday's course)
Part 1 9:30 am-
12:30am Garry Davey See
above for course description
Everyone has something to offer. An actor wonders why her body
is telling her one thing when the director is telling her another. A director wonders how
to get things moving, or feeling more organic. Sometimes we want to use the space more but
how? What's my motivation? What's my character supposed to feel? Does this chair really
have to be here? How to find the answers to these and other challenges that plague us and
intrigue us during the rehearsal process. Using short scenes and exercises Garry will help
us discover that we have more to offer than we thought, and ways to go about making
offers, and making choices in rehearsal. The goal is to make the whole journey more
rewarding for everyone and ultimately serve the play, the players, and playgoers alike.
We will be working mainly from the actor's point of view, but directors
and designers are encouraged to audit, or take part. Wear comfortable clothes, bring your
notebooks. Bio - see Workshop Plays Instructor
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Basic Make up for the Theatre
Part 2 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm Debra
Regnier See course description above
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Acting: The Actor in Rehearsal: Bringing
more to the process (Repeat)
Part 2 1:30 pm- 4:30pm Garry
Davey See above for course description |
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Publicity & Promotions
Fri. 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm Lori Marchand
This course will cover PR subjects such as writing a good Press
Release, the Press Kit, the Press Conference, selling your event or show, and
cross-promoting with other groups, events or shows. Discussion will follow a path
according to the needs of the participants.
Lori Marchand is currently the Administrative Director for Western
Canada Theatre in Kamloops. She has contributed to the success of the Southern Interior's
largest professional theatre company for several years. She previously worked for Odyssey
Productions and Broadway North Theatre Company, both in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
Publicity and marketing have been a major part her of responsibilities with all three
theatre companies. |
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